Christmas sales lift at John Lewis
EMPLOYEE-owned John Lewis department stores and its sister company Waitrose supermarkets have both reported big rises in seasonal sales.
The John Lewis shops announced total sales were up 8.9 per cent to £545million in the five weeks to January 1. Like for like sales, which exclude new space, were up 7.6 per cent.
Electrical, fashion and beauty products were the best performing categories, while online sales surged by 42 per cent to take its annual web figure past the £500million mark for the first time.
Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, said: “Online sales soared during the first snowfall as customers struggled to get to the shops. When the weather turned for a second time closer to Christmas, shoppers wanted the reassurance of having their goods in their hands and our shops saw sales surge as a result.”
Waitrose unveiled plans to open 39 shops this year, creating 3,000 jobs, as it reported total Christmas sales up by 8.9 per cent.
Like for like sales for the 23 days to December 23 rose by 5.4 per cent.
Waitrose managing director Mark Price said: “Our strong Christmas trading figures give us confidence for the year ahead.”